Mount Mitchell State Park
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ALPINE FOREST Mount Mitchell State Park An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 3-6 “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; we will understand only what we are taught.” - Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum i Funding for the original printing of this Environmental Education Learning Experience was contributed by ii This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by Jack L. Bradley, Jr. Superintendent, Mount Mitchell State Park; Lea J. Beazley Interpretation and Education Specialist, North Carolina State Parks; and Ms. Carrie Cook Intern, East Carolina University N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment and Natural Resources Michael F. Easley William G. Ross, Jr. Governor Secretary iii Mount Mitchell State Park wishes to acknowledge the following individuals whose efforts made this Environmental Education Learning Experience possible: Ms. Gwen Diehn, Professor, Warren Wilson College; Ms. Carrie Wittmer, National Audubon Expedition Group; Ms. Gwen Foor, National Audubon Expedition Group; Mr. Roger Lacy, National Audubon Expedition Group; Ms. Caroline Roesler, National Audubon Expedition Group; Ms. Monica Bosworth, National Audubon Expedition Group; Dr. Harriett S. Stubbs, Sci-Link; Ms. Sonja Whiteside, Buncombe County Schools; Other Contributors . Park staff; Park volunteers; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. 500 copies of this public document were printed at a total cost of $3,362 or $6.72 per copy. Printed on recycled paper. 05-01 iv Table of Contents 1. Introduction • Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System............................................ 1.1 • Introduction to Mount Mitchell State Park............................................................... 1.2 • Introduction to the Activity Packet for Mount Mitchell State Park.......................... 1.5 2. Activity Summary ..................................................................................................... 2.1 • Correlation Chart ...................................................................................................... 2.2 3. Pre-Visit Activities • #1 Canada Down South............................................................................................. 3.1 • #2 The Human Tree................................................................................................... 3.2 • #3 Acid from the Skies .............................................................................................. 3.3 • #4 Invasion of the Alien Adelgid .............................................................................. 3.4 4. On-Site Activities • #1 Meet a Tree........................................................................................................... 4.1 • #2 Mt. Mitchell — A Sense of Place ......................................................................... 4.2 • #3 Planting for Tomorrow ......................................................................................... 4.3 5. Post-Visit Activities • #1 Forest Game ......................................................................................................... 5.1 • #2 Forest Stewardship ............................................................................................... 5.2 • #3 Recycle a Forest — Leave a Log Alone............................................................... 5.3 6. Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 6.1 7. References .................................................................................................................. 7.1 8. Forms ......................................................................................................................... 8.1 9. Notes ........................................................................................................................... 9.1 v Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System reserving and protecting The North Carolina State As one of North Carolina’s PNorth Carolina’s natural Parks System has now been principal conservation resources is actually a established for more than agencies, the Division of relatively new idea. The three quarters of a century. Parks and Recreation is seeds of the conservation What started out as one small responsible for the more than movement were planted plot of public land has grown 164,000 acres that make up early in the 20th century into 61 properties across the our state parks system. The when citizens were alerted state, including parks, division manages these to the devastation of Mount resources for the safe Mitchell. Logging was enjoyment of the public and destroying a well-known protects and preserves them landmark — the highest as a part of the heritage we peak east of the will pass on to generations to Mississippi. As the come. magnificent forests of this An important component mile-high peak fell to of our stewardship of these the lumbermen’s axe, lands is education. Through alarmed citizens began our interpretation and to voice their objections. environmental education Governor Locke Craig services, the Division of joined them in their efforts Parks and Recreation strives to save Mount Mitchell. to offer enlightening Together they convinced programs which lead to an the legislature to pass a bill recreation areas, trails, rivers, understanding and establishing Mount Mitchell lakes and natural areas. This appreciation of our natural as the first state park of vast network of land boasts resources. The goal of our North Carolina. That was in some of the most beautiful environmental education 1915. scenery in the world and program is to generate an offers endless recreation awareness in all individuals opportunities. But our state that cultivates responsible parks system offers much stewardship of the earth. more than scenery and recreation. Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeological, geological and biological resources that are important For more information contact: parts of our natural heritage. N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation 1615 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1615 919/ 733-4181 www.ncsparks.net Mount Mitchell State Park, NC1.1 April 2001 Introduction to Mount Mitchell State Park In the crest of the billion The Park as an provides a wonderful outdoor year old Black Mountain range classroom for learning about lies the summit of Mount Outdoor Classroom history, literature and recre- Mitchell, the highest point east Numerous recreation fac- ation. Students can study and of the Mississippi. This lofty ilities and a variety of educa- learn about these and peak is the focal point of the tional opportunities make other subjects on 1,860 acre Mount Mitchell a visit to Mount a hands-on basis. State Park. Mitchell a rewarding Groups are Mount Mitchell State Park adventure. The natural encouraged to visit is the oldest state park in the resources of this unique the park during the southeastern United States. It mountainous area open the warmer months of was established in 1915 by door to a world of learning the year for hikes, the North Carolina General and discovery. One of the exploration, nature study and Assembly for the preservation most outstanding natural other activities. Leaders may and protection of the unique features of the park is its high choose to design and conduct spruce-fir forests located there. elevation. Because tempera- their own activities or make The two highest peaks of the ture decreases as altitude use of the park’s Environ- eastern United States are increases, the climate of mental Education Learning located within the boundaries Mount Mitchell is similar to Experience packet. A park of the park: Mount Mitchell at that of southern Canada. ranger will be happy to meet 6,684 feet and Mount Craig Mount Mitchell State Park with your group upon arrival to at 6,647 feet. has a unique natural history answer any questions the Mount Mitchell is located and is an excellent place to students may have, or to wel- in Yancey County, 34 miles study geology, ecology, come the group and present a northeast of Asheville off the biology and environmental short talk. Park staff will make Blue Ridge Parkway on North issues. The park is also rich every effort to accommodate Carolina Highway 128. in cultural resources and persons with disabilities. Mount Mitchell State Park, NC1.2 April 2001 Park Facilities: which can accommodate 16 Before the Trip: Restrooms: Restrooms are people each. All are available 1. Complete the pre-visit available at the park office, on a first-come basis although activities in the Environmental the restaurant, and near the shelters may be reserved. Education Learning summit of Mt. Mitchell behind Use of the shelters is free of Experience. charge unless you reserve the concession stand. 2. The group leader should visit them. The Balsam Shop: A gift the park without the partici- shop containing a variety of Camping: Family camping pants prior to the group trip. regional crafts, art, music, is available from May 1 to This will enable you to become books and more is also October 31 on a first-come familiar with the facilities and located near the summit. It is basis. Each of the nine the park staff, and to identify open May 1 to October 31 campsites has a grill, any potential problems.